The London-headquartered firm opened a Dublin office last summer to support its work in advising and representing clients before the new Unified Patent Court (UPC).

The two new partners are both dual-qualified as solicitors in England and Ireland, and registered UPC representatives. Mr Matthewson joins the partnership of Powell Gilbert in London and Ireland, while Mr FitzPatrick is joining the partnership in Ireland and will play a leadership role in the Dublin office.

Dr Penny Gilbert, partner at Powell Gilbert LLP, said: “Bryce and Peter are talented IP litigators who have each made exceptional contributions on behalf of the firm’s clients. We are delighted to welcome them to the partnership at Powell Gilbert, not least in this period of opportunity for the firm following the launch of the UPC and our Dublin office.

“Bryce’s scientific and legal expertise, combined with astute commercial awareness, makes him an invaluable advisor to our clients, particularly those in the life sciences sector where we are renowned for our UK patent litigation experience and our advice in developing and supporting pan-European litigation strategies.

“Peter’s technical knowledge and impressive IP and commercial litigation experience allows him to advise businesses at the forefront of innovation across a range of technologies, including in FRAND litigation and in patent licence disputes in the life sciences sector.”

She added: “Peter is an ideal leader for our operations in Ireland, where he will help us build on our success in acting for clients across a significant number of the UPC’s earliest cases, and in co-ordinating Europe-wide patent litigation strategies.”

Mr Matthewson said: “I am thrilled to be joining the Powell Gilbert partnership. As a firm we occupy a special position in the market, coordinating some of the most complex and high-stakes international patent litigation strategies and acting for clients in proceedings before the UK courts as well as the UPC.

“The key sectors we advise, such as life sciences, continue to see extraordinary rates of innovation, and we take pride in adapting to meet tomorrow’s IP challenges to support our client’s long-term objectives. I look forward to continuing my contribution to this work as a member of the partnership.”

Mr FitzPatrick said: “Ireland continues its remarkable growth trajectory as one of the world’s major commercial and financial centres.

“Our office right in the heart of the capital has access to market-leading expertise, experience, and local counsel partners, to capture the potential of Dublin as a destination for IP dispute resolution, including as a prospective local division of the UPC, subject to ratification in the upcoming referendum.

“I am very excited to be relocating full-time to my home city to take a leadership role in the Dublin office.”